WorldPosted at: Oct 10 2026 1:47PM


US says Venezuela reconciliation talks yield progress on political reforms, prisoner releases

Washington, Oct 10 (UNI) The United States said that reconciliation talks between Venezuela's interim government and representatives of the country's last internationally recognised democratically elected legislature have produced progress on judicial reforms, press freedom and the release of political prisoners.
The talks come as Venezuela's political factions seek to establish conditions for electoral participation and institutional reform.
Two rounds of talks held in Caracas in August and September has resulted in reforms aimed at creating conditions for credible elections and a peaceful democratic transition.
The interim government has released more than 1,000 political prisoners since January 3, while announcing the release of another 177 since the reconciliation talks began in August, The US said in a statement.
The talks bring together representatives of Venezuela's 2015 National Assembly, led by its president, Dinorah Figuera, and the interim government, represented by current National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez.
The United States said the 2015 legislature was Venezuela's last democratically elected legislative body recognised by all political parties in the country and by the international community.
A key outcome of the talks has been a reform of the Supreme Court selection process, with 32 new judges due to be selected by December, according to the State Department.
The department said the process was intended to strengthen judicial independence and transparency, noting that the Supreme Court would adjudicate challenges to the results of future elections.
A seven-member Credentials Council has been established to screen judicial candidates, with the 2015 National Assembly selecting a majority of its members. An 23-member Judicial Nominations Committee, comprising 11 current National Assembly members and 12 civil society representatives, will select the nominees from the council's approved list.
The interim government has also restored or partially restored access to more than 70 previously blocked internet domains, including those belonging to media outlets such as El Tiempo, EFE, Revista Semana, El Pitazo and Efecto Cocuyo, the department said.
In another step, Venezuela's National Assembly has established a commission to reform the 2017 Law Against Hatred, which the State Department described as a measure used under the government of former President Nicolás Maduro to imprison opposition leaders and people critical of the authorities.
The law provides for prison sentences of up to 20 years for the “promotion or incitement of hatred, discrimination, or violence”, although critics have said it was used to punish dissent.
The third round of reconciliation talks is scheduled to begin on October 14, with the delegations expected to focus on finalising the Supreme Court selection process and securing guarantees for the participation of individuals and political parties in future elections.
Further rounds are expected to address reforms to the National Electoral Council, the repeal of remaining restrictive laws and measures to allow opposition leaders and political parties to return and participate in public life.
The State Department said the United States supported the Venezuelan-led process, adding that a peaceful democratic transition required the establishment of durable institutions.
“The Trump Administration will continue to support this Venezuelan-led process as it moves from dialogue to durable democratic institutions,” the department said.
The US also cited the release of prominent opposition figures, including Juan Pablo Guanipa, Freddy Superlano and former presidential candidate Enrique Márquez. Exiled opposition figures Claudia Macero and Omar González Moreno have also returned to Venezuela, it said. UNI AAB
Tags: #US says Venezuela reconciliation talks yield progress on political reforms# prisoner releases
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